Acne and Depression are Linked

For some people, acne can actually lead to depression. Learn the warning signs.

The Psychological Effects of Acne

Some people have suffered with chronic acne for several years if not most of their life. A lot of these people have been through many courses of acne medications, such as Accutane. They have taken many antibiotics prior to acne medications and treatment. Now, and possibly for the remainder of their lives, will be abused and ridiculed because of their appearance. Needless to say a social life has been all but impossible to obtain. Acne sufferers can be treated as though they are second class citizens. Sometimes, this can even lead to depression.

As you can see, acne can have a profound social impact on a person, and cause many psychological effects. Even a mild case of acne can have significant consequences on a person. Acne affects people of all ages and race, and but it is most common in people between the ages of 12 to 25. In this age range, over 80% of people deal with some type of acne. Acne is the most common of all skin diseases.

As this age range falls right in line with adolescence, which is the time that people are finding out who they are and developing their own personalities, acne can play a significant role. Peer acceptance is extremely important to people in this age range. And unfortunately, attractiveness and physical appearance are huge factors in peer status. This can cause people with acne to feel left behind.

An acne sufferer may look down at the ground, rarely picking his or her eyes up from the floor. This is a real depression warning sign. When their skin does clear it may reveal innumerable scars, furthering the feeling of self pity. An acne sufferer may feel that they are unattractive. They try so hard to find a reason to get up in the morning and go to work or school. Sometime they feel that they are barred from any social activity. It is difficult to go through so many years of your life feeling so bad about your appearance.

The symptoms we present here are suggestive of depression. Just because you look one way on the outside doesn't mean you look the same on the inside. We are letting one disease lead to another. We are letting a physical, non-life threatening disease lead to an emotional, possibly life threatening problem.

The psychological symptoms of acne

Here is the list of emotional problems someone with acne may face:

Wanting to avoid eye contact with others.

Covering of the face. A common technique in boys and girls is to grow the hair long enough to cover the face and acne. This is bad as the bacteria that lives on the hair will actually rub off on the face, fueling the acne. Girls also have the option of wearing a lot of make-up to cover the acne.

People with body acne, such as those with acne on their shoulders, back or chest, may avoid situations where they would have to take their clothes off in public. This limits participation in sports, gym class, and spending time at the beach or pool.

Being made fun of and taunting. This is particularly true mostly for teens.

Acne sufferers can find it hard to start a new relationship.

Some people with acne will refuse to go to school. This leads to poor academic performance and will affect future employment.

Those with jobs may opt to take a lot of sick days just to stay home and be away from those at work.

Acne can cause a people to not have any confidence in themselves, leading to all different problems.

Acne can limit a person career options. Modeling, acting, and any job where physical appearance plays a major role can be out of the question for those with acne.

As you can see, a person with acne has a lot of psychological effects to overcome. Some do overcome these, and some do not. It is those who do not that may slip into depression. These people can become shy and reclusive, and in some cases social phobia can develop.

Signs of depression in acne sufferers

Here are the signs to look for to identify someone with depression:

Loss or increase of appetite

Weight changes

Behavioral problems

Uncontrollable crying

Sleeping too little or too much and getting poor sleep quality

Unworthiness feelings

Abrupt mood changes

Changes in a person’s normal routine

Decreased energy levels or lethargic

Decreased motivation

Low self-esteem

Lack of confidence

General negative thoughts

Social withdrawal

Reduced academic performance for those in school

If the depression is severe, the sufferer may have suicidal ideas

People who are suffering from depression caused be acne may use the following phrases:

• I don’t want to wake up in the morning
• I’m worthless
• You’d be better off without me
• I’d be better off dead

If you hear yourself or someone else talking like this, please take heed and get help.

Now that you know the psychological effects acne can have, be sure not to just brush it off as a part of life if you are your child has acne. Learn the facts about acne, and don’t let it control you.

Acne doesn’t need to rule your life

Acne sufferers don’t have to let acne control them. Acne can be controlled and eliminated.

Following these simple steps, you can get rid of your acne and discover your beautiful skin below. Be confident. Just by reading this information you are educating yourself and learning the right way to deal with this problem. Do not let your acne lead you down the road of depression.

While a psychiatrist can offer psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to help improve your self-image and help you deal with your current stressors, we find the best long term solution is to get rid of the acne once and for all. We must come beyond staring at ourselves in the mirror wondering if we will get a date or invited to hang out with the group. Yes, we do become depressed but our friends tell us how beautiful our hearts are. We don't need to be told our physical body is beautiful because we know that. We did not ask to have acne, but we now have to deal with it. It may take a little work and sacrifice, but we can overcome acne. Acne does not need to control us!

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Acne Fact:

The worst thing you can do when you have acne is using your fingers to pop your zits!